BLT Pasta Salad Bacon Avocado (Printable view)

Classic BLT elements blend with pasta, bacon, and avocado for a satisfying, fresh dish everyone will love.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta (fusilli, rotini, or penne)
02 - 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)

→ Bacon

03 - 6 slices bacon

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
06 - 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

08 - 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Additions

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, place bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp, turning occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to cool. Chop bacon into bite-size pieces.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until a smooth dressing is formed.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, chopped lettuce, sliced green onions, and most of the bacon, reserving some for garnish. Add dressing and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
05 - Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado to prevent browning and preserve texture.
06 - Transfer salad to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with the reserved bacon and optional parsley or chives. Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • If you&39;re a fan of BLT sandwiches, this pasta salad is like unlocking a fresh summer secret.
  • The balance between savory bacon and creamy avocado turns every bite into a little celebration.
02 -
  • If you toss in avocado too early, you&39;ll end up with sad, brown chunks—wait until the last minute.
  • Overcooking pasta is the fastest way to a mushy salad, so check it often and trust your instincts for texture.
03 -
  • The bacon must be completely cool before chopping or it&39;ll stick together and lose its crunch.
  • Rotini or fusilli pasta holds the dressing best, turning each forkful into a flavor bomb.
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